Ballroom Dancing Waltzes onto Campus

VALDOSTA -- As the summer unwinds and students prepare for the
upcoming fall semester, Dance Area Head Eric Nielsen is busy taking
‘quicksteps’ to choreograph a VSU Ballroom Dance Club.

The professor of Communication Arts and several dance students
created the organization to provide affordable ballroom dance
instruction to students, faculty and staff. The Foxtrot, Quickstep,
Tango and Swing are among traditional ballroom techniques that will
be explored; but Nielsen said examples of American and Latin
competitive dances will also be taught.

“We had our first free open class at the end of the spring semester
and about 55 people attended,” said Nielsen, who created the dance
emphasis program at VSU in 1986. “I think everyone, whatever skill
level they possessed when entering the class, left with a sense of
accomplishment and anticipation for what might be offered in the
fall. A beginning student will find that it is not only a great
opportunity to learn about different ballroom dances, but an
excellent way to meet new people on campus.”

Nielsen said television shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and
"So You Think You Can Dance" have stimulated great interest in
various forms of formal dance, which the club will break down in a
comfortable, educational environment open to the entire VSU
community. A dancing partner is not required. Members will be
encouraged to work with a variety of partners as they enjoy the
benefits of dance as expression.

“What today’s student experiences in rediscovering the values of
traditional ballroom dance, is the incredible sensation that he or
she feels when moving with another in time, space and energy,” said
Nielsen, who has served as a director/choreographer for Peach State
and other summer theatres for the past 35 years. “There is no one
word that can explain the feeling; even seeing it performed well
doesn’t surpass the emotions while actually executing the ballroom
movements with a partner.”

The club plans to hold weekly classes as well as a ballroom
exhibition, which will showcase the efforts of club members and the
associated exhibition team expected to compete at college and
university competitions. Nielsen said the club hopes to promote the
club through a benefit “Dancing with the Scholars,” during which
club members will pair up with administrators, faculty and staff
for an evening on the dance floor.

“Students not only want to learn more about ballroom dancing as a
social activity, they are also interested in competing, and we hope
to provide outlets for both interest groups,” said Nielsen, who in
2003 was named Dance Educator of the Year by the Georgia
Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
“But before placing the cart before the horse, we will focus first
on acquiring the technical skills required for competition. If we
don’t compete immediately, we will still have an opportunity to
show team choreography at exhibitions, community and school
functions.”